Printing telegraph apparatus



Feb. 5, 1935. E WF. HANKE Er AL 1,989,688

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l F/G.J.

ATTOR Y Feb. 5, 1985. E w F, HANKE -r AL 1,989,688

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G-EWAM TEP-J. Zf/VNEQ ATTOR Y Feb. 5, 1935. Y E, w F` HANKE ET AL 1,989,688

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1935 3 SheetS-Sheet 3INVENTO EDW//V WFH /V/(E Irl/M 727? J. ZEN/VEP Patented Feb. 5, 1935UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEA PRNTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS DelawareApplication september 9,1933, serial No. 688,739

12 Claims.

printed upon a tape.

This invention has for its primary object the provision in a printingtelegraph apparatus of tape controlling mechanisms which are reliableand emcient, and suitable for application to machines capable of highspeed operation, and which are of such design as to render the printingmachines utilizable for projection purposes.

In the ensuing description the features according. to the presentinvention are disclosed as associated with a printing telegraphyreceiver comprising a six-unit code disc selector mecha.-

nism in which the code discs are arranged in superposed horizontalplanes. Directly above the code discs and concentrically disposedtherewith are the actuating bars, striker disc, and type bars. Arrangedaround the periphery of the code discs and operatively associated withthe actuatedbars are a series of selectable elements or drop bars.Printing or recording by the type bars is effected upon a tape throughthe use of an inking ribbon which extends transversely of the tape atthe printing point, the printing zone being located centrally of thecircularly arranged type bars. In the specic embodiment disclosed, thetype bars are divided into two substantially semi-circular groupsdisposed one on each side of the directional movement of the tape, and aribbon feeding mechanism, positioned outside the area circumscribed bythe type bars, the ribbon being directed 4between the two groups of typebars so as to cross upon itself obliquely and then extend transverselyacross the tape, the effect of such construction being to permitimmediate visibility of the printed record, and to render the apparatusreadily adaptable for projection purposes. The type on each type bar ispositioned so as to print on either the near or the far side of the tapeto effect offset printing characteristic of stock quotation operation.However, single line printing can be produced, if

desired, by properly positioning the type faces on the type bars.

The present invention, contemplates, also, the provision of means foreliminating the objectionable tape noise inherent in printing apparatusof the type-bar class; as well as means for providing maximum visibilityand readability of the printed record.

Many features included in the disclosure of the present application arealso disclosed in copending application Serial No. 651,664 filed January14, 1933 by A. H. Reiber et al. and the following copending applicationsnled on September 9, 1933; namely, Serial No. 688,711 filed by H. L.Krum, Serial No. 688,713 filed by W. J. Zenner, and Serial No. 688,726filed by C. W. Swan.

v A better understanding of the invention may be had from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein, I

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the printing telegraphapparatus embodying the improvements according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the tape feed mechanism according to thepresent invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a part of the tapefeedmechanism showing the means for eliminating tape noise.

Fig. 5 is a View illustrating a modilied form of platen operatingmechanism.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicatesimilar parts throughout the several views and more particularly to Fig.1, there is shown a main supporting frame generally indicated by thenumeral 11, which carries in its lower compartment a motor 12 which isseparated from the other parts of the apparatus superposed thereabove bya solid partition. Frame 11 also carries the parts or units; namely,main shaft assembly, the operating mechanism, the selector mechanism,and the type unit, generally indicated by the numerals 13, 14, 15, and16 respectively all of which are arranged vertically so as to produce acompact self-contained apparatus. The typing unit 16 which carries theribbon feed mechanism and also the tape feed mechanism is, by means ofdowels 17 which t into drilled holes in the main frame 11 detachablymountable on frame 11 so that it may be readily interchangeable.

For a detailed description of the specific apparatus herein shown,4reference may be had to copending application Serial No. 651,664, fliedJanuary 14, 1933 by A. H. Reiber et al. Accordingly, only so much of theapparatus will be described as will be conducive to a readyunderstanding of the present invention. To shaft 21 of motor 12 issecured a worm pinion 22 which is adapted to mesh with worm gear 23aixed to the lower extremity of a vertically disposed main operatingshaft 24, which is carried by anti-fric- A tion bearings 25 and 26,which in turn are mountedin brackets secured to frame 11. On shaft 24are carried two clutch mechanisms 27 and 28,

the upper one 27 of which drives the receiving cam sleeve 29 of theselector mechanism while the lower clutch 28, which is a combinationfriction and positive or grab clutch, drives an operating cam 31.

As clearly set forth in the aforementioned copending application the camsleeve 29 is provided with a helicaily arranged series of camprojections and is cyclically operated in response to code combinationsof signalling impulses received by a selector electromagnet (not shown)which vibrates a selector leven-which in turn cooperates during eachcyclical rotation of said cam sleeve 29 with the cam projections thereonto set permutably through a series of elements 32 .a corresponding setof code discs 33 which are notched on their periphery so that for eachalignment of notches a selector or drop bar 34 is selected foroperation, as is commonly known in the art. Bars 32 are circularlyarranged about the code discs 33 and are pivotally mounted upon acircular rod 35. The rod 35 is moinited in and the bars 34 are guided bya circular comb member 36. Each of the bars-34 is provided adjacent totheir pivotal pointswith a heel portion to which.

is secured one end of an individual spring 37, the other end -of whichis secured to a ring 38 attached to the frame of the apparatus. Thesprings 37 normally tend to rotate their respective bars 34 in aclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) into engagement with the codediscs 33. Each of the bars 34 is provided with an arm 39 whichcooperates with a selector` bar restoring member 41. 'I'he member 41 isheld normally in its upward position, and thus through arms 39 maintainsthe bars 34 out of engagement with the code discs 33. Member 41 isconnected to a lever 42, pivoted at 43 to an adjustable member 44 whichis slidably mounted on a bracket 45. The opposite end of lever 42 isprovided with a follower roller which coacts with one of the cam groovesin. cam member 31. cych'cal operation of cam member 31 positivereciprocal motion in a vertical direction is imparted to member 41.Member 41 is slidably mounted on a turret member 46 which is mou-nted cna base 47 and concentrically positioned with 'relation to the code discs33.

Aiso slidably operable in the turret member 46 is the reduced lower endof a plunger 48, the upper end of which is guided in a block 49 mountedon a plate 51 and is disposed in coaxial alignment with turret member46. Carried by the upper end of plunger 48 is a circular striker member52 which is provided on its upper surface and along its circumferencewith a continuous V-shaped notch or groove, and interposed betweenstriker member 52 and an upward extension on bars 34 is an actuating orpush bar 53,

there being one push bar 53 individual to each selector bar 34. Theupper end of push bar 53 is provided with a rack meshed with a segmentalgear portion of a type bar 54 associated therewith. Type bars 54 arepivotally mounted on a 'circular rod 55 carried in a circular combmember 56. Bars 53 are guided by comb members 57 and 58 and are eachprovided with a spring 59 adapted to impart thereto simultaneouslyadownward and leftward movement (as viewed in Fig. 1). Each push bar 53is provided with a notched portion adapted to engage with the V- shapednotch alongthe peripheral edge of the strmer disc 52 when urged theretoby its assol ciated selector bar 34.

Ecwnward movement is imparted to plunger 48 Thus, upon thev adapted tooperate on a shoulder in plunger 48 and the other end cooperates with aprinting spring 64. The lower end of spring 64 is attached to onev endof an adjusting lever 6 5, the other end of the lever 65 cooperatingwith an adjustscrew 66 which makes possible the variation of theprinting blow.

The cam 31 and levers 42 and 6i cooperate to effect the selecting andprinting operations. Cam 31 after the initiation of its rotation effectsrst the counterclockwise movement of lever 42 (as viewed in Fig. 1) toimpart to member 41 downward movement whereupon all of the selector bars34 are free to respond to the action of their individual springs 37 tobe rotated about the pivot rod 35 into engagement with the code discs33. As already disclosed, the operation of the selector mechanism haseected an alignment of notches in the code discs 33, thus permitting onein a clockwise direction to permit plunger 48 to respond to the actionof printer spring 64 through the instrumentality of lever 62. Plunger 43and its associated striker disc 52 thus have a sharp upward movementimparted thereto, which rnovement is imparted through selectivelyoperated push bar 53 to the associated type bar` 54 which is rotatedsharply to its printing position against a platen 68 through the rackand pinion connection between said push bar and said type bar.Immediately following the release of the plunger 48 to perform theprinting operation, the selector bars 34 are restored to their releasedor unactuated position out of engagement with code discs 33.

restoration is effected by imparting a clockwise movement to lever 42tcraise, in turn, the restoration member 41 to its upward position,which member coacts with arms 39 of selector bars 34 to rotate said bars34 against the action of their springs 37, Since the cam 31 is requiredto overcome the pull of approximately sixty-four springs 37, the fulcrum43 of lever 42 is so selected as to produce a mechanical advantage ofabout three to one. Adustment 44 is provided to control the clearancebetween bars 34 and ccde discs 33,l

ecv

wise changed to alter, in turn, through arms 39 the angular position ofbars 34 which affects the clearance 'between the vertical arms of bars34 and the peripheral edges c-i code discs 33. Immediately following theretr ction of bars 34 from the. code discs 33 the r .selection of codediscs 33 in accordance with the ensuing received code combination may beeffected. 'Ihe plunger 48 is naLly returned to its lowermost position bythe cam 31 by imparting coonterclockwiserotation to lever 61, whereuponclockwise rotation is imparted to printing lever 62 to store up energy yin' the' printing spring 6 4 for a subsequent printl platen. Havingreference to Fig. l and more particularly to Fig. 3 it is observed thatthe upper extremity of the plunger 48l cooperates with an arm' 7l of atape feed lever 72 pivotally mounted on a st ud shaft 73 carried by vabracket 70 mounted inthe frame of the apparatus. For example,

p referring to Fig. 2, it is noted that the bracket 70 is provided witha pair of 'symmetrically disposed arms 69 to render the tape feedingmechanism removably attachable to the typing unit 19. To the extremityof arm 74 of lever 72 is pivotally carried apawl 75 which coacts with afeed ratchet 76 which in the present embodiment of the invention is-formed integral' with a feed roller 77 (Fig. 2) which is'providedwithapair of trunnions by means of which it is rotatably mounted in bracket70. The pawl 75 is constantly urged-into operative engagement with theratchet '76 by a spring 78 distended between an arm 79 of pawl 75 and anarm 81 of lever 72. The lever 72 is nor mally rotated in a clockwisedirection (as viewed in Fig'. 3) into cooperative' engagement withplunger 48 by a spring 82 extending from an arm 83 of lever 72 to aspring post 84. Coacting with ratchet 76 t'o prevent displacementthereof during the .feeding operation isl a 'detent member- 85 pivotedon a stud shaft 8 6 'and normally urged into cooperative engagement withratchet 76 by a spring 87.

A pair of pressure rollers 88 (Figs. 2 and 3) are provided which coactwith knurled portions of feed roller 77 to effect the movement of a tape91 in a well-known manner, the rollers 88 being rotatably carried by alever 92 pivoted at 93 to bracket 70 and spring vurged against the feedroller 77 by a spring 94 acting o n lever *92. A feature of the presentinvention isthe provision of a pair of pressure rollers adapted toengage th'e edges of the tape instead of asingle roll'er disposedtransversely of the tape as heretofore, so that the printed record onthe tape is unobstructed to view and visible. at all times. The

lever 92 is of substantially U-shaped conforma'- tion and is providedintegrally thereof near the extremities of its arms with a bridgeportion 95. The dual function of portion 95 being, first, to

'direct the course of the tape as it is fed through the printer duringthe feeding operation, and

secondly to cooperate with rollers 77 and 88 to eifect the eliminationof the tape noise common to printing telegraph machines. The bridgeportion or baiiie 95 acts to form in cooperation with the pressurerollers 884 a sound-absorbing crimp in the tape 91 which absorbs soundimparted=to the tape by the recording elements, the particular advantageof this feature residing in the fact that it is associated directly withthe tape feeding mechanism and is located interiorly of the printer.rollers 88 are located somewhat below the tangential line between feedroller 77 and platen 68 the purpose of which is not only'torender the'tape 91 taut at all times but also by virtue of its cooperation withportion 95 to absorb the vibrations set up in the tape caused by theprinting blows of the type bars, which vibrations if allowed to travelor persist to thefree or loose end of the tape would produce anundesirable noise. commonly known as tape noise. It has been found thata sharp depression in the tape made by the It is noted in Fig. 3 thatthe pressure pressure rollers 88 and the portion 95 effectivelyeliminates the tape noise.

Pivotally carried on arm 71 of lever 72 is a platen rotating lever 97,the extremity of which is provided with a plurality of fine teeth tocooperate with a peripheral series of teeth of equal flneness' on aratchet 98 secured to the platen 68. The platen 68 and ratchet 98 arethus adapted to rotate together upon a shaft 99, a spring brake means(not shown, but which may be of any wellknown construction) beingprovided to prevent back lash of ratchet 98. The pitch of the teeth onlever 97 is slightly different from that on ratchet 98 so as to vary thesuccessive rotational movements of platen 68, whereby the repetition ofprinting on any particular printing point is not effected until afterseveral revolutions of the platen. The variation of the pitches of theteeth on the pawlor lever 97 and ratchet 98 effects the variation in therotational movement of the platen because, even though the reciprocationof the pawl 97 is uniform, Ithe ratchet 98 will nevertheless not beactuated every time by the same tooth on the pawl. Lever 97 is mountedin operative relation with ratchet 98 by a spring 101 distended betweenlever 97 and arm 71 in an obvious manner (Fig. 3).

When the plunger 48 is operated upwardly to effect the printing of acharacter, the lever 72 is simultaneously rotated in a counterclockwisedirection (as viewed in Fig. 3) such that pawl 75 is lowered to engagethe succeeding tooth on ratchet 76, and lever 97 is advanced on ratchet98 preparatory to effecting the limited rotation of prevented from backspacing or slipping by means of detent 85, and ratchet 98 is heldagainst reverse movement by its frictional connection with shaft 99.When. plunger 48 is returned to its downward position at the completionof the printing operation, the feed mechanism operating spring 82 iseffective to impart clockwise rotation to lever 72 to actuate pawl 75 torotate ratchet 76, and hence feed roller 77, one step, and also toimpart through lever 97 rotation to platen 68. It is therefore apparentthat as the tape is fed step-bystep through the printing zone by thetape feed mechanism the platen 68 is simultaneously rotated to presentfor each printing blow of the type bars a' different printing surfacethereon, thus the same particular printing surface is presented to 'theprinting point a minimum number of times.

.preferably through a conduit 102 from Yright to iert, as viewed in Fig.1, such that the tape is directed' in aline tangent to or slightly belowthe periphery of the platen 68 so as to insure continuous contacttherewith, thence over the platen to the feed roller 77.

There is illustrated in Fig. 5 a modified form ofplaten operatingmechanism, the salient feature of which is to complete independence ofthe tape feed mechanism. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 5, the platen 68,instead of being controlled by plunger 48 through the instrumentality ofpawl 97 carriedon tape feed arm 72, is operated by a plunger 103slidably carried in block`49 and cooperative with lever 61. Alsocooperating with plunger'l03 at the upper extremity thereof is a lever104, which as disclosed in the aforementioned copending applicationfunctions to operate the ribbon feed mechanism of the printingapparatus. Lever 104 is pivotally mountedon a bracket 105 and tendsnormally to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 5)due to the urge of a spring 106 connected thereto. Carried on the arm oflever 104 which coacts with `plunger 103 is a pawl 107 which is springurged into cooperation with a ratchet 10d mounted on a stud shaft 109.Ratchet 108 is provided with a spring actuated detent 111 whichfunctions in a well-known manner to retain ratchet 108 in itssuccessively operated positions. A gear 112 is also carried on shaft 109and rotates together with ratchet 108v and is meshed with a' gear 113fixed to platen 68. It is observed that in the form of the inventionshown in Fig. 5, the pawl 97 (Fig. 3) .has been eliminated, and theratchet 98 has been substituted by gear 113. Each time the lever 61(Fig. 1) is operated to effect the printing operation, the plunger 103is simultaneously reciprocated, the edect of which through lever 10d andpawl 107 is to rotate ratchet 108 and likewise gear 112 a unit angularamount. The effect of this rotation will be to impart a step-by-steprotation to gear 113, but to procure a unit circumferential movement ofthe platen 98 which is greater or less than the unity lineal movement ofthe tape 91 the gear ratio of gears 112 and 113 is adjusted accordingly.For example, one method of varying the movement of the tape and platenis to design the gears 112 and 113 such that there is a dierence of twoteeth therebetween, the object of the independence between the tapefeeding mechanism and the platen rotating mechanism being to permit theindependent control of said mechanisms such that the linear movement ofthe tape may be made to lbe different from the circumferential movementci the platen, the en'ect of which is to reduce to a minimum the numberoi' times a particular printing point on the platen is acted upon.

Although the present invention has been'disclosed and described withreference to preferred embodiments it is, of course, understood that theinvention is capable of embodiment in many and widely varied forms otherthan that specically disclosed without departing from .the spirit andscope of the present invention, and all changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobe embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. In a recorder, signal controlled means for recording on a tape, aplaten, and means operated by said recording means to move said platenand said tape incommensurately for each recording operation.

2. In a recorder, signal controlled means for recording on a tape, aplaten, and means con- "trolled by said recording means to move saidplaten and said tape incommensurately for each recording operation.

3. In a rec'order, a. plurality of recording elements, a platen,recording means, means controlled by said recording means to move a tapesubsequent to each recording operation to eiect character spacing, andmeans'controlled by said means to move said platen incommensurately withrespect to said `tape for each recording operation.

4. In a recorder, a plurality of recording elements, a platen, recordingmeans, means controlled by said recording means to move a tapesubsequent to each recording operation to eect character spacing, andmeans independent oi' said second mentioned means and also controlled bysaid recording means to move said each recording' operation.

5. In a recorder, a plurality of recording elements, a platen,lrecording means, means controlled by said recording means to move atape to eect character spacing, and means independient of said secondmentioned means and also controlled by said recording means to move saidplaten.

6. 1n a telegraph printer, a platen, a plurality of pivoted type barscooperative with said platen to edect printing on a tape, a selectormechanism responsive to code signals to select a type bar for operation,each of said type bars being provided with a single type face, operatingmeans for said tape bars, and spacing mechanism controlled by saidoperating means independent of said platen and including pressure meansdisposed marginally of the tape to insure continuous visibility of theprinted record.

7. In a recorder, means for recording on a tape, a platen, and meanscomprising a ratchet having teeth of a certain pitch and a pawl have inga plurality of teeth of a dierent pitch c0- operative with saidrecording means to move said platen and said tape incommensurately.

8. In a recorder, a plurality of recording ele-1 ments, a platen, meansto move a tape subsequent to each recording operation to 'eect characterspacing, and means comprising a ratchet and a multi-toothed pawlcontrolled by said means to move said platen incommensurately with re=spect to said tape, the teeth of said pawl and said ratchet being ofdifferent pitch.

9. In a recorder, a plurality of recording elements, means effectiveupon each recording operation to move a tape, and means associateddirectly with said means including pressure means and a fnamecooperativetherewith to absorb the sound imparted to the tape by saidrecording elements.

10. 1n a recorder, a plurality of recording elements, a platencooperatively associated therewith, means independent of said plateneffective upon each recording operation to move a tape and comprising apressure means disposed substantially below the tangential line betweenthe tape and said means to produce an initial bend in the tape, andmeans juxtapositioned to said rst recited means and disposed obliquelyto said tangential line to produce a reverse bend in the vtape wherebyabsorption of the sound imparted to the tape by the recording elementsis effected.

11. In a recorder, a plurality of recording elements, means eiiectiveupon each recording operation to move a tape, -and means associatedldirectly with said. means acting upon the impingement of the tapethereagainst to form a sound-absorbing crimp in the tape which absorbsthe sound imparted to the tape by said recording elements.

12. In a recorder, a support carrying a. platen,

Aa plurality of recording elements, means for selecting an element foroperation, and operating means for said recording elements comprising areciprocating actuator, means independent of said platen for moving atape including an operating lever, said last recited means detachablymountable on said support and operatively relatable through said leverto said actuator, and means operated following the selection of anelement for eiecting the printing operation and moving thetape.

WALTER J. ZENNER.

platen for I

